'Bismillah, c'est les ténèbres': What the viral message from French protests mean
A viral Snapchat phrase, 'Bismillah, c'est les ténèbres', originating from student protests in France, has turned into an international meme mocking suspected undercover police attempts to use youth slang. The cryptic phrase highlights a generational divide and has spread to demonstrations in Belgium and Italy.
Why it matters
It captures the intersection of modern digital youth culture, meme-driven protest movements, and social friction between authorities and students.
France’s high school protests have given rise to a string of slogans, but one cryptic phrase has emerged as an unlikely rallying cry. “Bismillah, c’est les ténèbres”, also repeated by climate activist Greta Thunberg, has spread from placards outside blockaded schools to viral videos.The phrase originated in a Snapchat message that students suspect was sent by an undercover police officer.Protesters have turned it into a running joke, using it to mock what they believe was an attempt by police to infiltrate their private protest groups. The slogan has since spread beyond France, appearing at demonstrations in Belgium and Italy.Students say it makes fun of someone attempting, and failing, to sound like a teenager, as per Euro News.
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